Does anyone know what this is, or was used for???

[Blackjack]

 

[BobHufford]

Garrote ... used for killin'.

 

[Blackjack]

Ok, but this was "issued" to a friends father in WWII. Sooooooo, I'm a little in the dark on this

 

[BobHufford]

"Since World War II, the garrote has been regularly employed as a weapon by soldiers as a silent means of eliminating sentries and other enemy personnel."

Sorry to quote Wikipedia, but it was handy.

 

[Blackjack]

Ok, if it was an issued item, I didn't know. I know her dad worked in the Office of Strategic Service (?) during the war. I thought it might be something unusual, but ok it's not-

 

[Ralph_Phillips]

Don't put it in your carryon bag, it's good for a free room at the crowbar motel.

 

[Stanley Doble]

Look up OSS, it was the predecessor to the CIA.

 

[Blackjack]

Okaay, If they predated the CIA then it is a covert ops weapon most likely. I would imagine this might be quite collectible then!!!

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Yes, big time. I don't know the specifics on this item buy anything OSS is super rare

 

[Capesofwrath]

Okaay, If they predated the CIA then it is a covert ops weapon most likely. I would imagine this might be quite collectible then!!!

They were used by the Commandos and other special units in the Second World War to kill sentries silently. Quieter than knives and neck chops because once it was around the neck it was impossible for the victim to call out. SOE used them in occupied Europe as well in covert and sabotage missions. The wartime expression used by the British at least for killing a sentry like that was to “give them the gate.” Pearly gates.

 

[Harp]

Okaay, If they predated the CIA then it is a covert ops weapon most likely. I would imagine this might be quite collectible then!!!

Not really, ropes are common. And a bicycle chain wrapped with electric tape was more favored in Vietnam.
See if he has a WWII Sykes Fairbairn knife, which is an exceptionally crafted weapon.

 

[Blackjack]

Yeah, there was some kind of commando knife.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Not really, ropes are common. And a bicycle chain wrapped with electric tape was more favored in Vietnam.
See if he has a WWII Sykes Fairbairn knife, which is an exceptionally crafted weapon.

Just found an example online for 350- I'd say that's collectible. Found two Sykes knives last year, all depends on the model and maker, can run from a couple hundred to thousands and condition makes or breaks that. Can't say for sure you'll get 350- for your piece but I've only seen one in the wild found by a friend of mine in 30 years but have purchased at least half a dozen Sykes knives over those years and passed on twice that.

 

[Blackjack]

That is encouraging !

 

[RJR]

My father was OSS.....its a "strangling wire".

 

[Blackjack]

So you recognize this as an OSS issue?

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Probably is OSS Specific, I also found a VN issued version with hand grenade type rings on the ends that was probably issued to SF in general

 

[RJR]

Blackjack,my father is long gone and never said much.I just remember overhearing he and several cronies talking about some of their people using them.No idea if they were issued or simply made by the men.

 

[Harp]

So you recognize this as an OSS issue?

Gvt issued.

 

[Blackjack]

Good.... maybe I'll sell it